Dan's Papers - July 4, 2008

"Summertime and the living's easy," as the band Sublime and Gershwin song go. But how easy has the living gotten? Just ask any one of the numerous concierge services out on the East End such as Hamptons Concierge, Hamptons Angels, Your Village Butler or Hampton Delivery Services - they would be happy to help you ease into your new role as a guest in your own home.

Some say that time is a thief and it's especially true if you're a second, third or fourth homeowner on the East End because keeping up the property is not exactly a quick scrub down. But the days of having to worry about making that massage appointment, picking up dry cleaning or keeping up with the seasonal décor are over. In the past 20 years, the concierge industry has grown tremendously - expanding from something that was only seen in exclusive hotels to a business that due to our high-paced lifestyle and culture is advertised as a necessity rather than a luxury.

The evolution of the word concierge has come a long way. First derived from a French word meaning "gatekeeper" or "keeper of the keys," its origins have close ties to the time of nobles, castles and palaces with that medieval, servantlike flair. It was the concierge's duty to see to the needs of VIP guests as well as keeping track of the many keys to the rooms in the castle - the crossed key remains a symbol of the concierge profession today. But our culture has redefined this once "key keeper" into part personal assistant, part event planner and part life supporter.

When it all boils down, all things concierge is about being "in the club," otherwise known as Les Clefs d'Or, the Society of Golden Keys. In 1952, delegates from nine countries met in Cannes to hold the first congress and created L'Union Europeene Des Portiers Des Grands Hotel (U.E.P.G.H.). Ferdinand Gillet, who was the Chief Concierge at the Hotel Scribe in Paris, made its creation possible. Today the industry knows him as the father of Les Clefs d'Or. Having grown impressively, membership numbers about 5,000 from 30 countries, the latest entry being the Philippines. To become a member of the association, applicants must have a minimum of five years experience as Concierge in a hotel of good standing and be proposed and seconded by two active members of the Clefs d'Or. If you can't manage to get into this exclusive society, fret not - in 1998 The National Concierge Association (NCA) was established to promote the highest level of competence in the profession and all it takes to become a member is filling out an application.

A Chief Concierge will do anything you ask as long as it is morally, legally and humanly possible. Grocery list at Citarella? Mail pickup from the post office while you're down in St. Barth's in February? Village beach permits? How about home Reiki or acupuncture services or prescription pick up at East Hampton Pharmacy? Done. Done. And done. The Concierge services in the Hamptons run the gamut. Here are some of the highlights of available services.

Your Village Butler boasts the motto, "Your Personal Assistant Service in the Hamptons" and explains its philosophy as "It is our belief that a vacation home is just that - a retreat that is ready when you are." Services include: House Checking - We are here when you can't be. Lifestyle Management - When your life gets too hectic, we can help. House Prepping - We are here to get whatever you need done.

At Hamptons Angels you can actually purchase a "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" weekend package (with the choice of either the sun up or sun down package) full of shopping trips to East Hampton and Bridgehampton. Not to mention afternoon massages, a Yachtini or Hampton Angels Blue Angel Martini and take-home souvenirs. Hamptons Angels wants their clients to think of them as their personal assistant, their little "Angel" that makes dinner reservations, arranges transportation details (yachts, limos, jets, etc.) and of course all nightlife and family fun activities. At Hamptons Concierge, services are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and whether you want to go fishing or buy movie tickets, they offer their clients the very finest in first class service. David Gribin of Hampton Delivery Services, who offers more than just delivery, explains that he's seen a change in the personal assisting business. "Whether it's special drink and food requests during a trip to the airport or a phone call from a client traveling in Spain requesting I make them a two o' clock hair appointment for when they return - needs are becoming more and more concierge by nature."

The key keeper is truly the jack of all trades - the travel consultant, a personal and business expediter, a social advisor, a confidential secretary, handyman, aside from having developed a network of Hamptons acquaintances, friends and celebrities - all willing to help you.